SHE'S THE LUNA I WANT

JACE.

"How should I act around you now?" She asked.

Her question made me take a deep intake of breath. "What do you mean?"

"Am I not allowed to hold you or hug you? And if I do, will you think I'm taking advantage?”

I wasn't expecting that question. My eyes flew to her and met her gaze again. She wasn't smiling and just kept on biting her bottom lip.

I smiled warmly at her. "You can still do that... My arms and my hands are always open for you, it's just that..."

"I shouldn't expect anything more. Right?"

I was so used to her arguing with me that I knew if she used this tactic, I might lose.

"Right," I answered, as I didn't know what to say more. I shifted my gaze away from her and moved my gaze forward.

"I can do that. Not to expect anything. I just don't want to lose you."

"You're not losing me, Amara. You can push me away and kick me out of your life, but I'll just be here. Waiting until you're ready to hold into my arms again.”

She didn't say anything, so I tilted my head to look at her. She was biting her bottom lip too hard as her eyes watered, and she was just looking at me, her arms crossed against her chest, and half of her back was leaning against the door.

I smiled warmly at her before I laid out my hand. "Hey, kitten. You're not losing me."

Her eyes darted to my hand and then back to my face again. She reached for my palm and entwined it with hers as I squeezed her gently before putting my attention back on the road.

It felt good to hold her hand as if my hands were molded to fit hers. We stayed holding hands as they rested on her thighs, and I was doing my best not to brush my hand on her soft skin.

And just when I thought everything was already calm, she surprised me again

I heard her seatbelt release from its hook after she let go of my hand. Soon, her arms went flying and coiled around my neck as she buried her face into it. She was kneeling on her seat, body leaning on me, and by reflex, my left arm automatically snaked around her to make sure she wouldn't fall. But my hand landed on her ass cheek, as her skirt had already hiked up.

It made my body go rigid for a few seconds, but it was enough time for Amara to slam it into my face. "Your hand is on my ass.”

I dragged my hand down, only to land it on her upper thigh.

That fraction of a second made me forget that her thigh was just below her ass.

I removed my hand and raised it to her back instead, holding her in place as she was having a hard time balancing because I couldn't keep the car from swerving.

Soon, her body began shaking as her giggles erupted and echoed inside the car.

"What are you doing?" I asked. I was not sure if I wanted to be annoyed or just laugh it off.

"I'm sad. So I thought I wanted a hug,” she answered, but I could hear her stifling her laughter this time.

"You did that on purpose.” I told her in a low voice.

"What did I do wrong?"

"You can hug me even without kneeling up on your seat.”

"But then I won't be able to smell you. Your neck smells good.” She mumbled against my neck, her warm breath making goosebumps rise from my skin.

"I didn’t shower for three days..."

"Quit lying. I know how you smell when you don’t shower. You smell nice, the way you do whenever you showered."

My eyes rounded as I snapped my head in her direction, making her move away from my neck and slump her body back down to her seat as she laughed heartily.

"The fuck, Amara. Should I be scared of you?"

"I was just kidding. But your aftershave smells nice. Is that the one I gave you on your last birthday?" She was talking while my hand was already moving to grab her seat belt and buckle her up.

I nodded my head to answer her question. "But that one was gone, so I bought a new one the same as the one you gave me."

The scent was a blend of bergamot and Brazilian rosewood. I had others that smelled good as well, but since it came from her, it's been the one I've been using the most.

"You should have told me. I can buy you a new one."

"Yes, Mom. Next time, I will let you know." I chuckled before winking at her, making her roll her eyes at me, but she was smiling widely now.

It looked like she was okay now, or she was just like me, just good at hiding her emotions. But it didn't matter to me at this point, at least we were moving forward.

We made some pit stops, and with me just driving at maximum speed, we made it to the dormitory before midnight.

The main door was already locked, but the security personnel manning the main door allowed us entrance without ringing the headmistress, which was my aunt, Luisa since I was with Amara.

"I can take that," she said, referring to her duffel bag that I was carrying. "You're not allowed here." "Nah. I'll carry it. Let's see if anyone wants to mess with the Alpha of the Black Shadow Pack.” I swung the bag on my shoulder and began walking towards the main stairs. "Move now. I'll drop you off at your room."

"Scared I might tip over or fall from the stairs?" she asked as she walked beside me.

"I'm more terrified that you will run away after I leave that door. I have to make sure you're in your room or your dad might kill me if you went missing.”

"So how sure are you that I won't run away after you leave my room? Perhaps you should stay and watch me sleep.”

I chuckled at her reply. "Maybe I should tie you up in your bed.”

"I didn't know you were into bondage. But I'm open to that." She answered playfully, and the thought of her tied up in bed made me swallow.

I decided to remain quiet, or she might say more that would give me a heart attack.

We got to the second floor of the dormitory and were about to walk up the stairs when I heard a door open.

"Jace?" Aunt Luisa’s voice came, and it made me and Amara halt walking. She might have been in her office and been informed of my arrival.

Aunt Luisa was my mom's cousin. She and Mom were the ones who started this dormitory, and even though she had people working for her now, she still held the title of the headmistress and made sure to be hands-on with everything related to this dorm.

I watched as she walked towards us before pulling her into my arms and kissing her cheek as I hugged her. "It's almost midnight, what are you still doing here?" I asked.

"I'm the one who should be asking you, what are you doing here, Jace? No boys are allowed in my dormitory after six in the evening, and just because you're the Alpha doesn’t mean you can break the rules.” She said it in one breath

I knew this was coming.

This was the reason I had always been good at keeping up with rules and responsibilities. Growing up, my parents — down to my grandfathers — and uncles and aunts made sure I would not be treated special just because I was an Alpha heir.

I smiled sheepishly at her as I scratched my head.

"I told him he is not allowed here, but he said who has the guts to mess with the Alpha?" Amara dropped me in an instant, but I could see mischievousness flitting in her eyes as she pointed at me. My aunt chuckled softly before he feigned pinching my ear. "Well, Jackson, go home now and leave your girlfriend with me. I will make sure she gets to her room.”

"She's not my girlfriend.” I scratched my head again.

I saw the color drain from Amara’s face, and I didn't know what to say more.

"Well, I'm not your aunt too, right?" Aunt Luisa rolled her eyes at me, and that only meant she didn't believe me. "Go now before other girls see you here and start complaining about why their boyfriends are not allowed here.”

"Fine. Goodnight,” I pressed a kiss on my aunt's forehead. "Drive safely, or do you want me to wait for you outside so I can drive you home?"

"Thank you, honey, but your uncle Damien is just outside. Now, give your female a goodnight kiss before someone comes around and sees you."

I swallowed hard, and I was about to shake my head when the kitten in front of me squinted her eyes before launching herself at me. She rose on her toes, hands clutching my shirt, as she pulled my upper body lower and pressed a kiss on the corner of my lips.

"Goodnight, boyfriend.” She winked at me before grabbing the duffel bag in my hand and hooking her arm with Aunt Luisa, and they began walking away, leaving me dumbfounded.

What the fuck was that? I shook my head as I wiped the wetness she left on the side of my lips with my thumb.

I turned my body around and was ready to walk down the stairs when I saw six females, around 15 or 16 years old, standing in the middle of the stairs looking at me, giggling as they stared.

I smiled at the females before passing them.

I was used to getting female attention and hearing them giggle at my sight, but I was more concerned if they heard me being addressed as Amara’s boyfriend.

The last thing I wanted was for someone to throw gas on the fire that I was so adamant about putting out.